Kerry Washington: ‘Motherhood Changed My Hair Routine’

Scandal star Kerry Washington covers the November issue of Allure and opens up about family life with husband Nnamdi Asomugha and their two children – daughter Isabelle, 3, and son Caleb, 1.

On no longer using relaxers on her hair: “I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.”

On people thinking she’s Olivia Pope being able to “handle it” in real life: “It happens All. The. Time. I mean, part of it is because they know I can connect them to Judy Smith, [the crisis manager] who the role is based on. But people call me to say, ‘I have this problem. Can I talk to you about it?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t even want to know! Just skip over me!’ But I know secrets.”

On how she handles this political landscape: “I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.”

On her favorite oversize gray cashmere sweater from Hatch, a line of maternity wear: “You want to wear these after you have your baby — they’re so beautiful. [These sweaters] are great for nursing. I just stopped, so I’m going to have to let go of this stuff. But see? You can easily hide a baby under here.”